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Hime
Stranger
Registered: 02/16/13
Posts: 172
Last seen: 10 years, 4 months
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container drainage holes
#662676 - 03/17/13 04:30 PM (11 years, 6 months ago) |
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I've got these 2.5 gallon containers and they have 4 openings on the bottom about 1" squared. Are these holes to big? Will I be losing a lot of soil over time?
I'm thinking about plugging them up some how and drilling a bunch of small holes into the bottom. What do you guys think?
-------------------- Livin, learnin, takin it easy
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Hawksresurrection
Registered: 12/04/08
Posts: 13,464
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Re: container drainage holes [Re: Hime]
#662679 - 03/17/13 05:37 PM (11 years, 6 months ago) |
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Those will be just fine. The roots will grow into the soil and hold it into place.
-------------------- Dude she isn't as young as she use to be. -niteowl
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Hime
Stranger
Registered: 02/16/13
Posts: 172
Last seen: 10 years, 4 months
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Thank you, they are holding nicely.
-------------------- Livin, learnin, takin it easy
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PoloDown
Stranger Danger
Registered: 07/13/12
Posts: 1,559
Last seen: 3 years, 10 months
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Re: container drainage holes [Re: Hime]
#662703 - 03/17/13 11:48 PM (11 years, 6 months ago) |
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I read once putting newspaper at the bottom is porous enough to keep up your drainage but keeps the soil in
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Hawksresurrection
Registered: 12/04/08
Posts: 13,464
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Re: container drainage holes [Re: PoloDown]
#662707 - 03/18/13 05:02 AM (11 years, 6 months ago) |
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And then starts decomposing, wouldn't recommend it.
-------------------- Dude she isn't as young as she use to be. -niteowl
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Hawksresurrection
Registered: 12/04/08
Posts: 13,464
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If you are going to put something in the bottom I would recommend hydroton, aka expanded clay.
-------------------- Dude she isn't as young as she use to be. -niteowl
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SmokeSomeHash
Littlest pee pee on da block
Registered: 02/26/13
Posts: 1,555
Loc: murica
Last seen: 8 years, 7 months
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Ive used window screen or that lawn fabric they use as a weed barrier. I bought a roll and it sucks the way its meant to be used as a weed barrier so i used it to line the bottom of some 30 gal containers that have those same large square holes.
It helps a bit, but its not really necessary and on a small container like OPs probably not worth it.
The containers i do this too are usually palm trees that will not be transplanted again.
Bonsai growers also use a wire mesh. Sometimes these are built into a specific bonsai pot with one very large hole in the center. They use the screen to support the plant in the tiny little dish, but it also does a great job of preventing soil wash out. Depending on the material used though it might rust so watch out for that.
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Hawksresurrection
Registered: 12/04/08
Posts: 13,464
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Re: container drainage holes [Re: SmokeSomeHash]
#662725 - 03/18/13 07:41 AM (11 years, 6 months ago) |
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And that's why I would prefer expanded clay, aka hydroton. It's inert, and also helps to make sure that proper drainage is achieved.
-------------------- Dude she isn't as young as she use to be. -niteowl
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boneynerd
Stranger
Registered: 01/21/13
Posts: 36
Last seen: 11 years, 4 months
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large perlite works too, it also can be mixed with dirt to fluff it up
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